GE IC687BEM742-EB I/O Expansion Module – Scalable Rack Expansion for GE Industrial Control Systems

• Warranty: 365 days from shipment

• Lead time: 1 week if in stock; no more than 1 month latest

• Payment: 50% advance payment; full payment before delivery

• Express options: FedEx, UPS, DHL

• Packaging: Anti-static protection with shock-resistant outer carton

• Rack-to-rack expansion – Adds additional I/O capacity without replacing the main CPU rack, which typically cuts downtime during plant upgrades.

• Backplane-powered module – Draws power from the rack’s 5 VDC rail, so there’s no extra power supply wiring on the front panel.

• Status diagnostics – Front LEDs (link/activity/fault, typically) help technicians verify cabling and bus health at a glance.

• Deterministic expansion link – Uses GE’s expansion bus to maintain consistent response times for distributed I/O, which seems to be the main reason it’s preferred in process lines.

• Hot-swap friendly rack practices – In many installations, modules can be serviced with minimal disturbance when proper rack procedures are followed.

• Fits standard GE rack footprint – Single-slot module profile supports clean cabinet layouts and existing spare capacity planning.

From my experience, this module is picked when plants outgrow their existing I/O count but want to avoid a full cabinet redesign. Common deployments include:

• Process industries (chemicals, water/wastewater) adding remote valve islands and transmitters

• Discrete manufacturing and packaging lines with additional sensors and motion interlocks

• Power and utilities sites that need auxiliary I/O near switchgear or MCC rooms

• Material handling where expansion racks are placed near conveyors to reduce home-run wiring

A maintenance lead at a bottling plant told us they added a new inspection station by cabling an expansion base and were back in production before lunch—no CPU change, no re-wiring the main rack.

• Lower upgrade cost – Extend I/O capacity without replacing the main controller or power system.

• Compatibility-minded – Designed for GE rack systems, which typically means minimal changes to existing programs and addressing.

• Serviceability – Clear front-panel indicators simplify troubleshooting and speed up commissioning.

• Reduced wiring runs – Place expansion racks closer to field devices to cut cable lengths and installation hours.

• Technical support – We can assist with part verification and application checks before you order.

• Cabinet & environment – Mount in a clean, ventilated enclosure; maintain ambient 0–60°C and avoid corrosive atmospheres. Allow airflow above/below the rack.

• Grounding & shielding – Use shielded expansion cabling per GE guidelines; bond shields at the recommended end to minimize noise.

• Wiring practices – Route expansion cables away from VFD output cables and high-current conductors; maintain bend radius.

• ESD handling – Handle the module with ESD protection; power down the rack and follow the manufacturer’s hot-swap policy for your specific system.

• Routine checks – Inspect connectors quarterly, clean dust with dry air, and verify LED status after maintenance. Apply firmware/config updates if applicable to your controller family.

• Spares strategy – Keep one spare module and known-good expansion cable on site for critical lines.

• CE marking and UL/cUL listing in most configurations for GE rack modules

• RoHS compliance may vary by manufacture date; many legacy GE modules are non-RoHS

• Manufactured under ISO-based quality systems (typical for GE automation products)

• Warranty: 12 months (365 days) from shipment

• Shielded expansion cable (lengths to suit cabinet-to-cabinet runs)

• End-of-line terminator (as specified by the GE bus rules)

• Remote/auxiliary I/O base with appropriate power supply and I/O modules

• Label kit for addressing and maintenance tagging